THE CAT AND THE MERMAID

Coral swam up to the surface and caught onto a dolphin's tail just as it leaped above the water. Carol screamed in delight as she was whipped around and when she was in mid-air, she let go and plunged back into the cool water. Suddenly Coral heard something. "Mrrgg, mrrgg!" Of course everything sounded bubbly when you were under water. Coral stuck her head cautiously above the surface and looked around. Sitting on the ground was a white and grey cat with yellow eyes. His paw was caught in a bush and he was meowing. "Poor kitty!" Coral cried. She swam to the bank and dried her hands in the sun. She knew cats didn't like water. The cat mewed helplessly as he scrabbled around, trying to get free. Coral pulled herself up on the sand and carefully started to untangle the cat. When the cat was free, Coral made sure he wasn't hurt. But when she started back to the lake, the cat followed her and purred. Coral stopped, wondering what to do. If the cat followed her down into the lake, he would be drowned. As she thought about it, a whistle sounded. The cat ran away and Coral jumped into the water. Frightened by the whistle, Coral hurried home. "Hello," said her mother. "We're having seaweed stew for dinner. Did you have a nice swim?" Coral nodded. "Can I ride Star over to the Magic Shellfish tomorrow?" she asked. Her mother nodded. The next day, Coral went to the stables and got Star, the pink and blue seahorse. She rode down to the Magic Shellfish. When she got there, she asked the owner, "Is there a potion that would allow animals to breathe underwater?" "As a matter of fact, there is," Mrs. Shellfish replied. If they drink it, animals can swim and breathe underwater. It costs two tokens." Coral took two tokens from her coin purse and gave them to the owner. Mrs. Shellfish gave her a bottle full of green liquid. Coral held tight to the fragile bottle as she swam upwards. "Here, kitty!" she called. There was a meow and the cat ran out from under a bush. Coral got the cat to drink the potion. Then they jumped into the water and lived happily ever after.

Copyright 2000 by Chantessy